Showing posts with label sonic screwdriver. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sonic screwdriver. Show all posts

Monday, August 6, 2018

"Crazy" New Design for the TARDIS Interior

If you've been paying attention, you have seen the video of the twelfth Doctor's TARDIS being dismantled.



You've also watched the interior if the TARDIS blow up after ejecting the newly-regenerated thirteenth Doctor in Twice Upon a Time.


Despite this evidence, here is what Chris Chibnall had to say about a new TARDIS interior design at press conference at San Diego Comic Con:

"No, I didn't say that!," he said, laughing as one of his questioners stated that he mentioned that the TARDIS exploded so we will see a new one. "I said it exploded. You said we'd see a new one." Chris Chibnall then refused any more questions on the subject.

Last week, after a photo credit was published in Doctor Who Magazine, two photos depicting portions of the TARDIS interior were discovered on character and publicity stills photographer Ben Blackall's online portfolio. Those photos, along with some other character portraits and publicity stills can be found on the Facebook page for Doctor Freedom.

Just today, Doctor Who concept artist Darren Fereday tweeted this (You are only seeing the reply because the tweet was deleted. Screenshot below):


So production designer Arwel Wyn Jones had a "crazy" vision for the new TARDIS interior which I assume he designed with input from Jodie Whittaker.

As for Chris Chibnall, I think a very discerning ear is required whenever he makes statements about Doctor Who.

Update:

It seems Darren Fereday was asked to delete some tweets.
Fereday not only deleted his tweets which featured his own renditions of the sonic screwdriver but also deleted his tweet about Arwel Wyn Jones' "crazy vision" for new TARDIS interior design.

Perhaps one of the secrets is that, like one of the toy versions, the tip rotates.


Chris Chibnall said to Digital Spy:
"Secrecy is not an end in itself." 
"it's not out of a desire for secrecy, it's a desire for that moment when it goes out of people experiencing it together."
I fail to see how being secretive about the mere existence of a new TARDIS interior fits with keeping the broadcasts a communal experience when an explosion already destroyed the twelfth Doctor's console room in Twice Upon a Time so it can be presumed a new one is required.

I also fail to see how drawings of a device which has already been released as a toy version and is already in the hands of fans would also be subject to the same secrecy.

It's really a shame how restricted the creative people on the production team are in sharing their enthusiasm. Even comic and concept artist Patrick Goddard was forced to delete a tweet of a drawing he created of the thirteenth Doctor's costume the day it was revealed to the public.

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

More filming Photos from South Africa

Production Assistant Tash Montlake was thrilled to be involved in Doctor Who filming in the Cape Town area of South Africa. There are multiple photos on this one Instagram post.
"The cast & the crew were so sweet to me, I can’t even begin to explain. When Jodie found out I was a fan of the show she made sure I had a selfie and a proper photo with her in costume. I didn’t even ask, she absolutely insisted. I love her for that so very much. I learnt the most badass things about the Dr. Who universe. Everything from the finer details to The Doctor’s costume to playing with the brand new Sonic. This season is steeped in references from the old and still making it feel new & relevant and I cannot wait to watch it." 
Story time: Since my buddies have done a panel at SDCC I can finally share a couple photos from a set that makes me miss my job so deeply it hurts. Everyone knows how much I love a good sci-fi and being British born you could imagine how much I nearly DIED when I got invited to work on @bbcdoctorwho it was honestly, without question the most special job I have ever done. The whole experience reminded me that this is what I came to this little blue green planet for. This industry is not just a job for me, being able to make shows & movies I love has always been a crazy dream. I have to constantly remind myself that this is actually happening in real life. The cast & the crew were so sweet to me, I can’t even begin to explain. When Jodie found out I was a fan of the show she made sure I had a selfie and a proper photo with her in costume. I didn’t even ask, she absolutely insisted. I love her for that so very much. I learnt the most badass things about the Dr. Who universe. Everything from the finer details to The Doctor’s costume to playing with the brand new Sonic. This season is steeped in references from the old and still making it feel new & relevant and I cannot wait to watch it. As soon as it’s revealed, I’ll share my photo of the TARDIS, it’s such a goodie. Jodie Whittaker will forever be my doctor 😍
A post shared by tashmontlake (@tashmontlake) on

Here's what can we learn from her post:

There was some filming in Ottery, a suburb of Cape Town on January 12.

The filming at the Kimberley Hotel on January 14 involved the new sonic screwdriver.

The filming in Greenmarket square (cobblestones) on January 18 was for Scene 55 of  Episode 3, the episode which features the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott. You can see Jodie Whittaker in the variation of the Doctor's costume with the burgundy shirt.

Monday, June 25, 2018

Series 11 Video and Photos Leaked SPOILERS!

I will not post the leaked content on this page but I will describe it.

A video clip leaked of a scene which takes place on a train a half an hour after the Doctor regenerated. The Doctor, Yasmin and Ryan are present, walking through the train. Yasmin is PC Kahn of the Hallamshire Police, Yaz to her friends. Hallamshire is an historic district in the City of Sheffield. Ryan's last name is Sinclair.

The train is a potential crime scene and the driver's window was broken.

The Doctor is surprised to be called Ma'am, despite having briefly glimpsed her own reflection before she fell out of the TARDIS. Somehow this did not make her gender apparent, or perhaps it's post-regeneration confusion. In fact, she can't yet remember her own name.

That's all I dare to describe and, I assure you, the clip is a lot funnier and exciting than I have described.

There are also two photos of the Thirteenth Doctor in dark, "steampunk" goggles with what appears to be her new sonic screwdriver.

This material can be found on the @JoshBinns5 Twitter account, though I suspect the account will be suspended shortly.

There is a backstory to the leaks. At least one person received the materials in a Twitter DM from someone who claimed to be a BBC employee. The alleged BBC employee has now deleted that account and all traces of communication from it.

UPDATE June 27:

I think by now most people who wanted to see the leaked material have seen it.

Someone on Twitter said that on Tuesday, June 19 they were shown the leaked materials.

Based on what this person saw in the photos which contain images of the new sonic screwdriver, they created their own drawings of the device which have also been making to rounds. Some people profess astonishment that this fan-created artwork is also subject to removal due to copyright issues but I believe this is in line with ownership of the actual design the drawings were taken from.

About the photos featuring the new Sonic screwdriver; it's obvious these were stills taken from another clip, probably a clip which is also in the possession of the person who shared the train clip.

It is my opinion and guess that the train clip and another one featuring the new sonic screwdriver reveal are intended to be shown at San Diego Comic Con. I'll explain.

The train clip shows the Doctor a half hour after her regeneration and introduces Yasmin and Ryan by first and last name. It is my guess that this clip will be shown right before Jodie Whittaker, Mandip Gill and Tosin Cole take the stage for the Doctor Who Panel at San Diego Comic Con.

I also think that, at some point during the panel, the clip featuring the Doctor with her new sonic screwdriver will be shown after which the prop will be revealed on stage. This is a great way to promote new merchandise and I wouldn't be surprised if toys or replicas based on the new sonic screwdriver are offered for sale shortly after San Diego Comic Con.

A post shared by Rubbertoeprops (@rubbertoeprops) on

I have further reason to believe the leaked materials are intended for San Diego Comic Con. To be fair to Beth Axford of the Doctor Who Magazine Time Team, she claims no inside knowledge. On June 25, she said, "Wait a few weeks. It's not long now." The San Diego Comic Con Doctor Who panel will likely occur on Sunday, July 22.


You can judge for yourself the logic behind this claim. Series 11 won't premiere until October.


I'm not the only one who believes the clips are intended for San Diego Comic Con.


UPDATE July 2:

On Friday, June 29, the BBC requested a clerk at the California federal court issue a subpoena to Tapatalk to identify the leaker. It is not known why they suspect the leaked material was distributed via Tapatalk.

Tapatalk is primarily designed as a convenient way to access forums, yet my first encounter with the leak was via a YouTube video which was brought to my attention on Twitter. I'm told the forum in question is Reddit. I'll update this blog again if I find out more.

SECOND UPDATE July 2:

BBC News had more to say about the leak:
"It is understood the unfinished clip had temporary music and had not gone through the process which determines the final visual look of the scene. 
That may help investigators identify the part of the production chain where the leak originated before it was uploaded to Tapatalk.
It also appears that a small number of individuals on a different online platform, Discord, which is often used by gaming communities, had seen and discussed the short scene almost a week before it leaked publicly. 
BBC Studios moved quickly to ensure the Tapatalk link was disabled and to remove the clip from social media platforms and video sharing sites. 
Some fans online have speculated that the BBC may have planned to show a finished version of the clip at San Diego Comic-Con."
That last part is interesting. The writer of the news piece, Lizo Mzimba, BBC News entertainment correspondent, often knows in advance when and where news and publicity will break but cannot reveal the information due to news embargoes.

Also, I've been told the forum name of the leaker on Discord:


THIRD UPDATE August 7 

BBC Studios has now made two attempts to discover the identity of the leaker.

In July, BBC Studios filed an application with the California Federal Court to compel the owners of Tapatalk, a platform which facilitates access to multiple online forums, to release information on the Tapatalk account which uploaded the leaked materials.

Now, in August, BBC Studios has filed a subpoena in Seattle, Washington to the headquarters of Microsoft to release information on the the owner of a Microsoft OneDrive account which had the leaked clip uploaded onto it. The information came from TorrentFreak. The article also states the footage in question was stolen from the studio.

So what do we know about this leaker? The leaker is likely a male member of the Doctor Who production team.

If the footage leaked from the studio, it likely originated from someone on the production team. Someone on Twitter stated that they were shown the clip by a person who told them that he was a BBC employee. I assume this was via Twitter DM since the person stated the leaker has since blocked them. The Twitter person also referred to the person who shared the clip with him as "the guy" and "he".

The Twitter person has not yet been questioned as part of the investigation. I wonder if the investigative team really knows what they are doing if they are only attempting to follow the digital trail to find the leaker.

FOURTH UPDATE August 9


The Radio Times has a bit more information about the investigation.

According to their sources, it seems the BBC Studios investigation will will now include questioning of people who claimed prior knowledge of the leak on social media.
"We understand that BBC Studios is currently determined to track down various figures who indicated on social media that they had received the leaked material prior to its wider circulation earlier this year…"
Their sources also claim that Tapatalk and Microsoft are fully cooperating with the court orders.
"At the moment, it’s difficult for the BBC to prevent further leaks without knowing the original source of the material, or how much material was taken, so the legal application – which sources say is an entirely amicable process between the BBC, Microsoft and TapaTalk and a fairly standard procedure that has to be enacted due to privacy laws – is their best shot at keeping the new series under wraps and protecting the BBC’s IP."

FIFTH UPDATE August 10


It would seem BBC Studios believes it has come closer to finding the individuals responsible, or at least their contact(s), having targeted two Twitter accounts, @Vortexia and @MrWhelan101, according to the World Intellectual Property Review.
"The BBC filed its subpoena against Twitter at the US District Court for the Northern District of California on Friday, August 3"
"The BBC asked for any personal information held by Twitter on two of its users, including address, internet protocol location, and date of birth. The users are identified as Vortexia and Mr Whelan 101."

Both Twitter accounts have responded with statements after I tweeted them:
Well, that's interesting. The account I mentioned was @Vortexia and I received a response from and account called @VortexiaTweets, which has now deleted all the tweets on its account.

Monday, June 4, 2018

May 11 Doctor Who Series 11 Character Shoot

Stills photographer Simon Ridgway was busy with a Series 11 character shoot at his new studio space at the Pinewood Wales studio complex on May 11.


I know this shoot was for Doctor Who because he said as much in his blog here and here.

I realize there isn't much to see here but it tells us two things; Simon Ridgway remains the stills photographer for Doctor Who, and a character shoot occured on May 11 with an unspecified prop crucial to the shoot.

I'm sure we all look forward to seeing the official photos of the characters along with the "crucial" prop once they are released.